Cowboys Have a Plethora of Draft Needs: Quarterback Ain't One of Them

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While Tony Romo watches basketball games at Anna High School and Southern Methodist University, and doesn’t play golf at Pebble Beach in a protective nod to his surgically repaired back, Cowboys fans are anxious to learn about the team’s franchise quarterback of the future?

Hint: It’s the same as their franchise quarterback of the present. Yep, No. 9.

Sorry, but teams with one playoff win in the last 18 years can’t afford to ponder the long-term future. Because, let’s face it, the future is now.

I know the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers in the first round of 2005 with Brett Favre in the prime of his career. But at the time that organization was coming off four consecutive playoff appearances. The Cowboys are like the distressed homeowner two months behind on their mortgage. When they come into some money they have pressing, urgent, immediate expenses. They can’t afford, unfortunately, to sock it away in savings.

Romo is 34 and is coming off of major back surgery. But there’s nothing to suggest he won’t make a full recovery and be even better – healthier and, therefore, more mobile – than his 31-touchdown, 10-interception season of 2013. And in the season finale, Kyle Orton proved a capable backup.

So, what? You really want the Cowboys to spend a high draft choice this April on a quarterback that likely won’t see the field until 2017? If so, you haven’t been watching the same Cowboys I have the last two years.

So, yippee, the Cowboys in 2014 surrender another 400+ points and again miss the playoffs, but you'd be content because you've identified their quarterback of the future? Insanity.

The Cowboys need major help. Offensive line. Defensive line. Linebacker. Anybody that can cover in the secondary. The Cowboys have gone 8-8 the last two seasons and drafting their quarterback of the future will do nothing to help the here-and-now.

Sign a young No. 3 quarterback for training camp and perhaps groom him on the practice squad. Keep Jon Kitna on speed dial if you must. But with all the holes on this roster that need to be filled, drafting a quarterback is just nonsensical.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently writes a sports/guy stuff blog at DFWSportatorium.com and lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.